John Salvado

The decision to move Carlisle from defence this year came under further scrutiny on Friday as he failed to score and was held to eight possessions in the 23-point loss to Collingwood in the Anzac Day AFL blockbuster at the MCG.

The 20-year-old Daniher (11 possessions, eight marks and a goal) was slightly better - although the pair have only combined for eight majors in the Bombers' opening six games.

"Jake was better today than he was last week," said Thompson.

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"In the forward line, when your team's playing well and you're getting good delivery and you're operating with even numbers it doesn't really matter - you can just play well there and we score goals.

"It's when your team rushes the ball in and they've set up the ground better than we have and you're competing against numbers.

"Or you get poor delivery, or there's pressure on the kick and it's up high and it's 50-50.

"Then it's hard to play in the forward line.

"When you lose, everyone just puts pressure on the forwards.

"We're here to coach and Jakey has got the ability and characteristics to be a forward and he can play there.

"And if he wants to play, this year anyway, he's going to play there."

With ruck-forward Tom Bellchambers likely to return from injury next week against the Western Bulldogs, the pressure should begin to ease.

Essendon bolted out of the blocks on Friday and led by 37 points early in the second term, only for Collingwood to turn the contest on its head with nine straight goals.

"We are not happy with it," said Thompson.

"We are going to deal with it as it's something we should be able to stop.

"If you get some directions in a game to try and change it you should be able to do it.

"They see it, they talk about it, but they don't carry it out."

After beginning the season with impressive wins over North Melbourne and Carlton either side of a four-point loss to flag favourites Hawthorn, the Bombers have slipped to a 2-4 win-loss record after three successive defeats.

But Thompson remains confident they can turn it around, starting against the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on May 3.

"Clearly the worst part of our draw was the first six rounds, so we have got that done now," he said.

"We can actually start training the players now - we have not trained the players for four weeks, not really trained with any substance."

The Magpies dominated the midfield battle on Friday, but the Essendon engine room will be bolstered with the imminent returns of Brendon Goddard, Heath Hocking and David Myers from injury.